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Amazon pilots playable game demos on Twitch
Amazon is testing a new feature on Twitch that allows users to play game demos directly through the streaming platform without downloading them. The test involved a 20-minute demo of Tarsier Studios' Reanimal, utilizing cloud-based streaming technology. Separately, developers at Wizards of the Coast, a subsidiary of Hasbro, have announced plans to unionize with the Communications Workers of America, citing concerns over layoffs, remote work, and transparency.
BastionOS Hits Steam With 40% Launch Discount While Steam Controller Returns At $99 | HappyGamer
Steam saw significant activity with the launch of BastionOS featuring a 40% discount, the return of the Steam Controller priced at $99 with unique features, and mixed reviews for s&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, due to AI-generated content concerns. These events highlight Steam's evolution as a platform, pushing hardware and experimenting with pricing strategies while grappling with content quality issues.
S&box Steam Reviews Turn Mixed as AI Content Complaints Mount | HappyGamer
Facepunch Studios' S&box, the successor to Garry's Mod, has launched on Steam to mixed reviews, largely due to player complaints about an influx of AI-generated content. The community is concerned that this "AI slop" undermines the genuine player creativity that defined Garry's Mod. The developer faces the challenge of balancing AI tools with human creativity to preserve the franchise's spirit.
Corsair Cove sails past 100,000 wishlists in under two weeks
The pirate-themed city-builder Corsair Cove has surpassed 100,000 wishlists on PC platforms like Steam and Epic Games Store in under two weeks. Developed by Limbic Entertainment and published by Hooded Horse, the game will also launch day one on PC Game Pass. Players will manage complex production chains and build their pirate utopia vertically.
MindsEye Gets BLACKLISTED Update and Price Cut
Build a Rocket Boy has announced a permanent price reduction for the game MindsEye. This price cut is already active on Steam and is expected to be implemented on the Epic Games Store soon. The update also includes a feature called BLACKLISTED.
On Sale
Several video game sales events are currently active, including the Viet Indie Week and tinyBuild's 15th Anniversary Sale on Steam. Additionally, a Humble Bundle offers Destiny 2 expansions with a pay-what-you-want model for charity, and a Landfall Aggro Crab showcase is also highlighted.
Evening Tech Bits
Reports indicate that the price of Steam hardware, such as the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, has significantly increased internally due to a RAM shortage. Separately, the text editor Notepad++ has been made available on macOS.
There are dozens of us! The best third-person shooter of all time sees HUGE* player spike on Steam after Capcom's…
Despite a modest player count increase on Steam, the article humorously analyzes the reasons behind the recent spike in players for the 2017 PC port of PlatinumGames' third-person shooter Vanquish. While the author speculates a connection to the upcoming game Pragmata, the data suggests the increase is more in line with historical sales and discounts, though the game's unique mechanics are highlighted as reasons for its enduring appeal.
Purple Software Visual Novel 'NICE TO MEET YOU, AGAIN' Coming to Steam in May
Sekai Project announced that the visual novel NICE TO MEET YOU, AGAIN, also known as Nandome ka no Hajimemashite, will be released on PC via Steam on May 21, 2026. The game features character designs by COQ and is written by Sakaki Kasa, with full Japanese voice acting for all characters except the silent protagonist.
Metropolis 1998 - This SimCity/Transport Tycoon like game coming Soon To Early Access, looks awesome!
Metropolis 1998, a new city-building simulation game inspired by classics like SimCity and Transport Tycoon, is preparing for its Early Access launch. The game features a blend of nostalgic 90s aesthetics with modern simulation depth, allowing players to observe citizen lives and manage granular population needs. It boasts a custom engine designed to handle complex traffic and population simulations for over 100,000 individuals and vehicles, with a playable demo available on Steam.
Yuri Visual Novel 'Our Home, My Keeper' Releases on April 30
Studio Élan announced that their visual novel, Our Home, My Keeper, will be released on PC via Steam on April 30, 2026. The game, a collaboration with writer ebi-hime, follows a writer named Paige Crowley who moves to the countryside to overcome writer's block and encounters a brownie named Faye who guards her new home. The kinetic novel promises a 4-8 hour yuri romance story with elements of mystery and intrigue.
Enchanted 8-Bit Adventure Echoes of the Unread is Coming to Steam
Echoes of the Unread, a musical adventure game developed by Clever Cat Games and co-published by Mega Cat Studios and 8-Bit Legit, is coming to Steam. Players can wishlist the game now, with a new trailer showcasing its storybook worlds and Rhapsody's journey. The game features singing to solve puzzles and battle foes, with a retro mode also available.
What's the Password? - Release Date Announcement
TrampolineTales announced that the minimalistic puzzle game "What's the Password?" will be released on May 28th for PC via Steam and mobile platforms (iOS and Android). The game features over 100 puzzles with randomized solutions and is designed for a roughly 2-hour playtime.
Final Flavor Demo Gives an Early Taste of the Dungeon Crawler This May
Dragonroll Studio has announced a demo for their upcoming dungeon crawler, Final Flavor, available on PC via Steam in May 2026. The game features a retro art style, party-based fantasy combat, and a unique cooking system where players use ingredients from defeated enemies. This is the studio's second project, following Pivot of Hearts.
Indie dev discovers nuclear fusion of Steam marketing, flies up wishlist charts thanks to bashful anime girl with freckles who parries machine giants with a chainsaw
The indie game Motorslice, developed by Regular Studio, has seen a significant surge in Steam wishlists, reaching the 150th most-wishlisted position. This success is attributed to its "bashful anime girl" protagonist and effective marketing strategies, including an interactive main menu. The game is officially described as a "slice of life action-adventure" and is set to release on May 5 for Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox.
INTI CREATES Celebrates 30 Years With Major Steam Sale | HappyGamer
INTI CREATES is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a significant sale on its entire catalog on Steam. The Japanese studio, known for titles like Mega Man Zero, Azure Striker Gunvolt, and Blaster Master Zero, is offering discounts on its diverse range of retro-inspired games. This sale provides an opportunity for players to explore the studio's consistent quality and unique approach to modernizing classic game design.
Moomintroll: Winter’s Warmth Is a Spiritual Successor to Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley
Moomintroll: Winter's Warmth, a spiritual successor to Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley, has been released by Hyper Games on PC via Steam and Nintendo Switch for $19.99. The game focuses on story and exploration in a cozy, winter-themed Moominvalley, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version planned for free upgrade. iam8bit will also release physical editions later this year.
Machine Child Review - Raising Your Girl to the Best of Your Ability
Machine Child is a raising simulation game developed by Syojo Kishidan, featuring a detailed art style and a gameplay loop focused on managing a daughter's growth through various studies and events. While the game offers a compelling experience with multiple endings and strategic resource management, it is hampered by a restrictive single autosave system, interface issues, and some technical problems in its Western release. Despite these flaws, the game is recommended for those interested in the genre due to its creative concept and enjoyable core mechanics.
Romance Visual Novel 'Algorithm Prescription' Gets Free Steam Demo Ahead of Full Release
Shochiku has released a free demo for their upcoming romance visual novel, Algorithm Prescription, on PC via Steam. The demo offers a standalone scenario from a different perspective than the main game, highlighting Cocoro's interactions and relationships. The full game features branching narratives, multiple endings, and themes of obsession and confinement within an AI-managed city.
Helix: Descent N Ascent Delayed to July With Plans to Add New Content Ahead of Launch; Trailer Streaming Now
Indie developer Badass Mongoose has delayed Helix: Descent N Ascent to July 23, 2026, for Nintendo Switch and PC. The delay allows for the addition of new content based on positive demo reception and further optimization of the Switch version. The monochrome puzzle-adventure game features no combat and focuses on environmental puzzle-solving with a soundtrack by Jim Guthrie.